Frame member for an outdoor fireplace



United States Patent James L. Vogel 7037 Wilshire Blvd., Des Moines, Iowa 50322 Jan. 13, 1969 Dec. 22, 1970 inventor Appl. No. Filed Patented FRAME MEMBER FOR OUTDOOR FIREPLACE 10 Claims, 5 Drawing Figs.

US. Cl. 126/25, 126/8, 126/9 Int. Cl A47j 37/00, F24b 3/00 Field of Search 126/8, 9, 25, 120

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 731,333 6/1903 Barker l26/8UX 2,897,811 8/1959 Authier 3,420,020 1/1969 Keppelman Primary Examiner-Charles J. Myhre Attorney-Henderson & Strom ABSTRACT: This invention relates to a frame member for an outdoor fireplace comprising a truss means, a base means, and means for connecting the truss means and base means so as to secure a plurality of noncombustible blocks therebetween and form thereby the upstanding walls of the fireplace. The truss means defines the uppermost inner and outer perimeters of the walls and engages the walls along those perimeters while the base means defines either the lowermost'inner or outer perimeter of the walls and engages the walls along that perimeter. The frame member is generally equipped with a grill member and at least one draft door.

FRAME MEMBER FOR AN OUTDOOR FIREPLACE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to an easily transportable frame member for securing a plurality of noncombustible blocks in a predetermined configuration to form the upstanding walls of an outdoor fireplace.

Several outdoor fireplaces have been described in the prior art in Williams, US. Pat. No. 2,787,260, PaoIella, US. Pat. No. 2,499,156, Authier, U.S. Pat. No. 2,897,811, and Parole]- la, U.S. Pat. No. 2,728,334. All of these prior art devices are bulky and difficult to assemble. These devices also are extremely heavy, difficult to transport, and do not take advantage of readily available, mass produced items, in the locale in which they will ultimately be utilized.

The frame member of this invention alleviates these problems as it is light in weight andeasily transportable. Readily available noncombustible blocks are utilized with this frame member and are easily assembled with this frame member to form the upstanding walls of the fireplace.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a frame member for securing a plurality of noncombustible blocks in a predetermined configuration to form the upstanding walls of an outdoor fireplace comprising truss means, base means, and means for connecting the truss means and the base means for securing the noncombustible blocks between the truss means and the base means. The truss means normally defines the inner perimeter and the outer perimeter of the uppermost portion of the walls and is engageable with at least a portion of the walls along these perimeters. The base means normally defines one of the inner perimeter and the outer perimeter of the lowermost portion of the walls and is engageable with at least a portion of the walls along this perimeter.

An object of this invention is to provide a frame member for an outdoor fireplace of novel and improved construction.

A further object is to provide an easily transportable frame member for an outdoor fireplace which utilizes building materials readily available in nearly all locales.

Another object is to provide a frame member for securing a plurality of noncombustible blocks in a predetermined configuration to form the upstanding walls of an outdoor fireplace.

Still another object is to provide a frame member for assembling noncombustible blocks to form upstanding walls of an outdoor fireplace without the use of mortar or the like.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a frame member of this invention in assembled relation with a plurality of noncombustible blocks.

FIG. 2 is a slightly enlarged top view of the frame member of FIG. 1 in assembled relation with noncombustible blocks.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the frame member of FIG. 2 taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 2 wherein the fireplace has an optional block floor.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the frame member of FIG. 2 taken along the line 4-4 of FIG. 2 wherein the fireplace has an optional block floor.

FIG. 5 is a top view of a frame member of this invention having the upstanding walls arranged in an octagonal configuration.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to the drawings, the frame member of this invention is indicated generally at 11 in FIG. 1. The frame member 11 comprises, generally, a truss means 12, a base means 13, and means 14 for connecting the truss means 12 and the base means 13 so as to secure a plurality of noncombustible blocks 16 therebetween, and, thereby, form the upstanding walls 17 of the fireplace, generally indicated at 18 in FIGS. 2 and 5.

The truss means 12 (FIGS. 1 and 4) is constructed to define and delineate the inner perimeter 19 and the outer perimeter 21 of the uppermost portion 22 of the upstanding walls 17.

The truss means 12 is also engageable with at least a portion of the walls 17 along the uppermost inner perimeter l9 and along the uppermost outer perimeter 21 of the walls 17.

The truss means 12 (FIGS. 1, 2 and 5) is comprised of a first member 23, a second member 24, and a plurality of plates 26 connecting the first member 23 and the second member 24. The first member 23 is formed from angle iron or similar rigid, noncombustible material having two legs 27, 28 and being in lateral cross section, of substantially L-shaped configuration. The first member 23 defines and delineates the uppermost inner perimeter 19 of the upstanding walls 17 of the fireplace 18. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the first member 23 fixes and marks a rectangular inner perimeter 19 for the walls 17(See FIGS. 1 and 2).

One leg 27 (FIGS. 3 and 4) of the L-shaped first member 23 is so disposed that it extends horizontally outwardly of the uppermost inner perimeter 19 and is thereby engageable with a portion of the top surfaces29 of the walls 17. The second leg 28 of the L-shaped first member 23 depends downwardly of the uppermost inner perimeter 19 and is engageable with a portion of the inside surfaces 31 of the walls 17.

The second member 24 (FIGS. 1, 2 and 5) is also formed from angle iron or the like and is, in lateral cross section, of substantially L-shaped configuration. The second member 24 is spaced apart from the first member 23 and defines and delineates the uppermost outer perimeter 21 of the walls 17. It is preferred that the second member 24 be of substantially rectangular configuration, however, other configurations can be utilized (See FIG. 5).

One leg 32 (FIGS. 3 and 4) of the L-shaped second member 24 is so disposed that it extends horizontally inwardly of the uppermost outer perimeter 21 and is thereby engageable with a portion of the top surface 29 of the walls 17. The second leg 33 of the second member 24 depends downwardly of the uppermost outer perimeter 21 and is engageable with a portion of the outside surfaces 34 of the walls 17.

The first member 23 and second member 24 are normally disposed in the same horizontal planeand are designed to receive and secure a plurality of standard size, noncombustible blocks 16. The first member 23 and second member 24 are generally spaced apart and rigidly secured in position by a plurality of plates 26 connecting the first and second members 23, 24. The plates 26 can be positioned at any point on the truss means 12, but, in order to obtain maximum strength and rigidity in the truss means 12, the plates 26 are positioned at the corners of the truss means 12.

A plurality of holes 35 (FIG. 1) are formed through said truss means 12, preferably through the plate means 26. The holes 35 are utilized to affix the connecting means 14 and a grill member 36 to the truss means 12.

The base means 13 (FIGS. 3 and 4) is constructed to define and delineate one of the inner perimeter 37 and the outer perimeter 38 of the lowermost portion 39 of the upstanding walls 17 and to be engageable with at least a portion of the walls 17 along that lowermost perimeter. In one embodiment, it is preferred that the base means 13 fix and mark the lowermost outer perimeter 38 and be engageable with the walls 17 along that lowermost outer perimeter 38, to minimize damage to the base means 13 caused by heat from the fire in the fireplace l8, rust and corrosion.

As shown in FIG. 1, the base means 13, comprises an angular member 41, of substantially L-shaped configuration in lateral cross section, defining and delineating the lowermost outer perimeter 38 of the walls 17. The angular member 41 is superimposable, in the embodiment shown, with the second member 24 of the truss means 12 and is of substantially rectangular configuration.

One leg 42 of the L-shaped angular member 41 extends horizontally under the walls 17 and is engageable with a portion of the bottom surface 43 of the walls 17. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the leg 42 extends horizontally inwardly of the engageable with a portion of the outside surfaces 34 of the walls 17.

A plurality of holes 45 (FIG. 1) are formed through the base means 13 and are aligned with the holes 35 formed through the truss means 12. The holes 45 of the base means 13 and the holes 35 of the truss means 12'are vertically aligned in the embodiments shown in FIGS. l5.

The base means 13, as defined above, is normally disposed in a horizontal plane and the truss means 12, as defined above, is disposed in a second horizontal plane over the base means 13. Standard rectangular blocks 16 can, therefore, be secured between the truss means 12 and the base means 13 to form upstanding walls 17.

Referring now to FIG. 1, the means 14 connecting the truss means 12 and the base means 13 is comprised of a plurality of bolts 46 having nuts 47 threadably engageable with the bolts 46. Each bolt 46 is inserted through a hole 35 in the truss means 12 and through the aligned hole 45 in the base means l3. A nut 47 is threadably engaged with the bolt 46. After blocks 16 are positioned within the first and second members 23, 24 of the truss means 12 and the angular member 41 of the base means 13, the nuts 47 are turned down to secure the blocks 16 in the configuration of the frame member 11 to form the upstanding walls 17 of the fireplace 18.

Although the frame member 11 of this invention can be designed to receive and secure noncombustible blocks manufactured from various materials in a variety of sizes, it is preferred that rectangular, standard size, lightweight aggregate, concrete blocks 16 be used herein. These blocks 16 do not easily crack when subjected to large variations in temperature and the coefficient of expansion of these blocks 16 is minimal. Convenient size blocks 16 for use herein are standard 4 inch by 8 inch by 16 inch blocks and 4 inch by 4 inch by 8 inch blocks. These blocks 16 can also be used to form a bottom floor 48 (FIGS. 3 and 4) for the fireplace 18 by merely placing them, in aligned and juxtaposed relation, within the walls 17 of the fireplace 18.

A draft door 49 (FIGS. 1, 3 and 4) can be constructed as a part of the frame member 11 of this invention to facilitate proper combustion in the fireplace 18. The draft door 49 comprises a plate 51 of rectangular configuration having a flat outer surface 52 which is normally disposed in an upright manner between the first and second members 23, 24 of the truss means 12. The flat plate 51 depends downwardly of the truss means 12 to form a portion of the walls 17. An elongate handle member 53 is affixed, at its ends 54, 56 to the plate 51 perpendicularly of the flat outer surface 52. The handle member 53 encompasses the second member 24 of the truss means 12. The draft door 49 can be opened by lifting the door 49 upwardly and then tilting the door 49 outwardly. The weight of the door 49 will secure it in an open position between the first and second members 23, 24 of the truss means 12.

A grill member 36 can also be affixed to the frame member 11, preferably through holes 35 in the truss means 12. The grill member 36 (FIGS. 2 and 3) is comprised of an inverted U-shaped retaining member 57 having a plurality of lugs 58 extending from the retaining member 57. The lugs 58 are designed to support a cantilever cooking portion 59 at different levels above the fire. The cooking portion 59 of the grill member 36 consists of a plurality of lateral struts 61 and at least two longitudinal struts 62 joined with the lateral struts 61. The cooking portion 59 of the grill member 36 can be folded outwardly of the frame member 11 to facilitate removal of ashes or the like from the fireplace 18.

After the upstanding walls 17 of the fireplace 18 are formed by assembling the frame member 11 and the noncombustible blocks 16, the walls 17 can simply be placed on the ground in an upstanding position to afford an outdoor fireplace 18. Additional blocks can be placed within the walls 17 and along the lower portion thereof to provide a bottom floor 48 if that is desired. The walls 17 can also be placed in shallow holes and the outside surfaces 34 of the walls 17 can be banked with earth or gravel to afiord a more permanent facility.

Although a preferred embodiment has been described hereinbefore, it is to be remembered that various modifications may be made without departing from the invention as defined in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. An outdoor fireplace comprising:

a plurality of noncombustible blocks arranged in a predetermined configuration to form the upstanding walls of the fireplace;

truss mean normally defining the inner perimeter and the outer perimeter of the uppermost portion of the walls, said truss means being engageable with at least a portion of the walls along said uppermost inner perimeter and along said uppermost outer perimeter;

base means normally defining one of the inner perimeter and the outer perimeter'of the lowermost portion of the walls, a said base means being engageable with at least a portion of the walls along said lowermost perimeter; and

means connecting said truss means and said base means for securing a plurality of noncombustible blocks between said truss means and said base means.

2. The fireplace of claim 1 wherein:

said base means is normally disposed in a horizontal plane;

and

said truss means is normally disposed over said base means and in a horizontal plane.

3. The fireplace of claim 2 wherein the truss means comprises:

a first member defining the uppermost inner perimeter of said walls and extending horizontally outwardly of said inner perimeter and depending downwardly of said inner perimeter;

a second member defining the uppermost outer perimeter of said walls and extending horizontally inwardly of said outer perimeter and depending downwardly of said outer perimeter; and

a plurality of plates connecting saidfirst member and said second member. I 4. The fireplace of claim 3 wherein the base means comprises: an angular member defining one of the inner perimeter and the outer perimeter of the lowermost portion of said walls. said angular member extending upwardly of said perimeter and extending horizontally under said walls.

5. The fireplace of claim 4 wherein: said first member and said second member of said truss means and said angular member of said base means are of substantially L-shaped configuration in lateral cross section.

6. The fireplace of claim 5 wherein: said angular member of said base means defines the outer perimeter of the lowermost portion of said walls, said angular member extending horizontally inwardly of said outer perimeter.

7. The fireplace of claim 6 wherein:

said truss means has a plurality of holes formed therethrough;

gageable with said bolts; said bolts extending through said holes in said truss means and through said aligned holes in said base means. 8. The fireplace of claim 7 wherein at least one draft door is secured to said truss means, said draft door comprising:

a plate having a flat, rectangular configuration normally disposed in an upright manner between said first member and said second member of said truss means and depending downwardly of said truss means to form a portion of said wall of said fireplace;

said base means has a plurality of holes formed said first member of said truss means is of rectangular configuration; and

said second member of said truss means and said angular member of said base means are of substantially rectangular configuration and said second second member is superimposable with said angular member. 

